Amidst the insurance peeps, loss adjustor, temp accommodation peeps from Southend whose job title is emergency re homing, restoration vehicles, de humidifiers and trying to engage with anybody from any agency to believe this small part of Snape has been flooded I have taken solace in 'The letter for the King'.

It is a tale of brave souls, good men and true against an increasingly dark presence and ominous take over bid. Compared with the gadgets, wizardry and fast paced action adventure of today it might seem fairly slow paced but it's worth sticking with for a wholesome tale of kindness and doing the right thing. It's a good yarn about Tiuri, a young lad waiting to be knighted who is supposed to be holding vigil in a chapel all night. He responds to a call for help, unlike his friends who remain steadfast in their concentration on the task in hand, and finds himself on a dangerous adventure with an important mission....the title of the book.

The detail in the landscape makes you feel on the journey too and you feel you are seeing Tiuri grow in independence before you. The relationships with the characters he meets along the way are built up slowly as the story unfolds, this seems much more real as it takes time to trust people. I liked the way this seems true to life - it's not all whizz, bang action but subtly, gradually Tiuri makes true friends on his journey.

Translated from the Dutch by Laura Watkinson this is a wonderful absorbing tale perfect to curl up for Christmas and beyond.

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Sarah Gallagher

Avid reader, sometimes a headteacher AND founder of Story shack. A place where you can release your imagination and see where it takes you....readingwritingbook makingplayingbecause everyone deserves to imagine and create